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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

The latest sightings by society members are now on the website in Snippets 162, with autumn insects galore, and this fat caterpillar spotted by Ian Davidson. It's a Convulvulus Moth caterpillar, 'agrius convulvuli'. www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

How about this? A fabulous Emerald Swallowtail, Papilio Palinurus, photographed by the very surprised Head Gardener at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick on Sept 1st. This butterfly inhabits tropical rainforests in Asia. But Warwick is only 8 miles from the butterfly farm at Stratford. Did it escape?

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

No apology for posting another compilation of amazing insect pictures from Warwick Natural History Society member, Sabina George. This is her August selection with impressive identification. There are more recent sightings by society members in 'Snippets 159' on the society website: www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Warwick wildlife photographer, Alec Cuthbertson, was keen to capture the reflections in the kingfisher's eye. He says he had to use a slow shutter speed because of poor light, but the result is pretty impressive! He's been a speaker at a society meeting. The winter programme is now on www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

What's the collective noun for gatekeepers? A flutter? These were enjoying the marjoram in Margaret Parkins' garden. It seems the butterflies have been flourishing in the hot weather. See recent sightings by society members in Snippets 158 one the website: www.wnhs.info.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Trees can be overlooked. But a recent 'tree walk' around Warwick by society members, led by Lesley Hall, showed that there are many unusual tree species nearby. These included Red Snake-bark Maple from Japan, Persian Ironwood, and Maple-leaved Crab. (If you live near Warwick, join us!) www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

In the latest edition of 'Snippets' - recent sightings by members our website - there are more amazing pictures of insects from Sabina George's close-up camera. How do you like the weird green eyes on the Knapweed Ghost, and the hoverfly sporting the Batman logo on its thorax? www.wnhs.info.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Early July sightings by members of the Warwick Nat Hist Soc are now on the website in 'Snippets 156'. www.wnhs.info They include moths and orchids at Ryton Pools, froglets, and this Flower Crab spider (Misumena vatia), found by Liz Dinsdale. It can change colour to match the flower-head.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Is it a painted lady year? Members of the Warwick Nat Hist Society have seen plenty of these migrant butterflies as the weather warmed up. You can see recent sightings by members in Snippets number 155 on the website, including some fascinating insects, orchids and a new-born bat. www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

The local swans are not doing so well this year. This pair in Leamington's Jephson Gardens seem to have just 3 cygnets, and may be vulnerable to out-of-control dogs as well as foxes. In St. Nicholas Park, Warwick, the resident swans started with 8 cygnets, now down to 4. ☹️

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

The mute swans that nest each year in St. Nicholas Park in Warwick produced 8 cygnets, as they did last year, and again one didn't survive the first few days. But the seven little swans are swimming on the river, with attentive parents close by. (One hidden in this picture by Marie Anscomb).

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Here's another fascinating collection of close-up photos of insects by Sabina George on the latest Snippets of recent sighting by society members on the WNHS website: www.wnhs.info I like the name of the Marmalade Hoverfly, but won't be spreading it on my toast.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Our society's latest outing was to Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. Eighty bird species identified with most of them native species. The cranes were very obliging, with a pair flying in from the flood plane for a wash and a preen close to a path. Trips coming up are on the website: www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Sparrowhawks are now a regular sight in urban gardens, trying to pick off birds on feeders. They have made a remarkable comeback since the DDT that made them sterile was banned in 1984. This male was pictured in a Kenilworth garden. More recent sightings by members in Snippets 150 on www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Snippets No 149 on the society's website www.wnhs.info has plenty of spring flowers, bees and butterflies among the sightings. Sabina George's close-up camera caught a Water Hog-louse carrying a female. By guarding her from rivals he can be sure of mating her when her exoskeleton has hardened.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Society member and insect specialist Sabina George collected a Cherry Oak Gall in mid-September last year. On February 14th this gall wasp emerged. She's hoping more of her collected galls will produce wasps. If you live near Warwick, why not come along to one of our meetings? www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Thanks for the correction, Steven. They're clearly spreading north.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

This super display of crocuses was photographed by society member Liz Dinsdale opposite the Pump Rooms in Leamington Spa. They are 'Crocus Tommasinianus', a delicate early flowering species.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

On January 1st - a tiny Nysius Bug was found by Sabina George in her Kenilworth garden. Also called chinch bugs they first appeared in Britain in 1992 and are spreading north. There are now 7 species in the UK, but at just 4mm long, they're difficult to tell apart without a microscope.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Happy New Year from Warwick Natural History Society, and there are a few winter sightings from members in Snippets No 145 on our website www.wnhs.info They include this picture of the icy garden of Philip and Claire Harris, with a pair of foxes apparently hunting round for a possible den.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Snippets no 143 is now on the website with sightings by members and local news. There are some remarkable close-up pictures of tiny larvae and crustaceans by Sabina George, and the story of three otter kits found at Compton Verney with no sign of the mother. They're now at a sanctuary in Devon.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

A recent visit to Draycote Water reservoir by society members yielded 35 species of bird, including goosander and great northern diver, also plenty of cormorants on the new overflow pipes. A group of cormorants in the air is called a 'flight'. Perched in a group they are a 'gulp'!

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Into November and it is exceptionally mild, with a few butterflies about, including this colourful comma seen by Sabina George in her garden. Also plenty of fungi in recent sighting by society members. See Snippets 142 on the website: wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Autumn colours, unusual flies, and 'gumballs' are all in the latest 'Snippets' on our website. www.wnhs.info The spiky seed pods of the sweet gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), known as gumballs, were seen among the foliage during the members' autumn walk along the Stratford-upon-Avon Nature Trail.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

It's the time of year for galls. And society member Sabina has used her close-up camera and wide knowledge of insects to compile this collection of oak galls, including the rather weird creation of the Ramshorn Gall Wasp. It moved into Britain from Eastern Europe in 1997 and is moving north.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Recent sightings by the society are now on the website in Snippets 139. www.wnhs.info Lots of insects, and also a rare sighting by one of the members on her lawn. Is it a young cuckoo? she asked. No - a wryneck, a member of the woodpecker family, en route for Africa for the winter. Good garden tick!

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Wasps! It's the season for wasps. If you thought a wasp is just a wasp, think again. In the Uk there about 9,000 species of wasp! Here's a collection filmed recently by society member Sabina George with her brilliant little camera. More sightings are on Snippets 138 on the website: www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Recent sightings by members of the Warwick Natural History Society are now on the website at Snippets No 137. Plenty of insects were enjoying the warm August weather, and this brown hare was seen in Northamptonshire. It froze, apparently hoping not to be noticed. Is that common behaviour?

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

How about this? A wasp spider photographed by a friend who lives in Somerset. Rare, and only found south of Gloucestershire at present. Harmless apparently; the wasp-like colouring is designed to keep away predators.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Another fascinating compilation of pictures from our insect specialist Sabina George. The figures in brackets are the numbers she saw on a relatively short August visit to the privately owned Avon Wood in South Warwickshire. See all our members' recent sightings on Snippets 136. www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

More amazing close-up photos of insects by society member Sabina George. These were taken on a recent society outing to Ryton Wood. It's one of Warwickshire's oldest semi-natural ancient woodlands, managed by the Wildlife Trust. See 'Snippets' No 135. www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Are Swift Towers the answer? Numbers of swifts are declining. One reason seems to be the lack of nest sites in modern buildings. Members have begun monitoring nest sites in Warwick - see the article by Frances Wilmot in Snippets 133 on our website, www.wnhs.info. This tower is in Cardiff Bay.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Here's another set of fantastic close-up shots by Sabina George among other recent sightings of insects on the society website: www.wnhs.info This species of carrot wasp is unusual. And how about the figwort weevil, looking like something from a sci-fi film!

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Here's the latest selection of great insect photos take by Sabina George with her mini camera with a 50X lens. They were all taken within half an hour on June 2nd during a society outing to Packwood House meadows. See Snippets No 131 on the website: www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

On a recent outing to Hay Wood near Lapworth, members of the society were delighted to see this field of Red Clover or Italian Clover [trifolium incarnatum] - a good source of nectar for bees, and traditionally clover has multiple health benefits. See Snippets No 130 on the website: wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Spring migrants are appearing all over the Warwick area, including this splendid yellow wagtail photographed by Derek Walton. Latest sightings are in Snippets No 129 on the society website: www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Recent observations by members of the society are now online in Snippets No 128. They include a morning walk round Warwick Racecourse where the District Council has erected protective fencing to encourage breeding skylarks and meadow pipits. The rough grass area was alive with larks! 😀

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

It's clearly a good spring for fritillaries. They seem to be everywhere. This patch of purple and white snakes head fritillaries was pictured on April 2nd by Liz Dinsdale; they feature in Snippets No 127 - recent sightings by society members on the website. www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Warning - slugs! The latest 'Snippets' from society members has these charmers posted by Sabina George. She says, "I had help from Chris du Feu, a mollusc expert. He was pleased to see Riccardoella mites on slugs in our composter. There are only two records of them in the NBN Atlas. www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

The beautiful sunny spell in the Midlands that began at the end of February has brought out the insects: bees - flies - and butterflies, including red admiral, brimstone and this comma seen by Sabina George on March 1st. See Snippets No 125 on the website. www.wnhs.info

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Despite the cold, members of the society have been out and about, and some of their recent sightings are in 'Snippets No 124' on the website: www.wnhs.info Winter fungi include Turkey Tails, Scarlet Elf Cap, and this rather splendid growth on a dead log. Does anyone know what it is?

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Spring is in the air according to the latest sightings by members of the Warwick Natural History Society - see 'Snippets' on the website; www.wnhs.info Booming bitterns, snowdrops and even a January peacock butterfly. These swans pictured by Lizzy Bradbury seem to be in the St. Valentine's mood.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

During the recent cold spell there have been regular murmurations at Brandon Marsh near Coventry. The flocks of starlings don't hang about long, pouring into the reed bed to huddle together for warmth.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Floods and declining farmland birds feature in the latest 'Snippets' from members of the Warwick Natural History Society now on the website: wnhs.info Pictures include this by Steve Valentine of a Kingfisher on a bullrush; (a male with an all-black bill. The female has an orange lower mandible).

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Recent sightings by members of the Warwick Nat Hist Society - Snippets 121 - are now on the website. www.wnhs.info This was sunset at West Malvern on Christmas Day, pictured by Richard Dinsdale. If you live in or near Warwick, why not join us for interesting talks and walks? Details on the website.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Recent sightings by members of the Warwick Natural History Society are now on the website, (Snippets No 120). www.wnhs.info They include this striking picture by Sabina George of a hoverfly on some late flowering fatsia.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

How about this great pic of a kestrel, snapped by Derek Walton during the latest excursion by members of the Warwick Natural History Society? This walk was around Drayton Water, the reservoir south of Rugby in Warwickshire. 38 birds identified in two hours.

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Warwick Natural History Society @warwicknathistsoc.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Follow Warwick Natural History Society for recent wildlife sightings in the heart of England. If you live nearby, why not join us for talks and walks? www.wnhs.info

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